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Costs & transport

How much does the Everest Base Camp trek cost?

Where your money goes on a 12-day trek: the package, flights to Lukla, costs on the trail and tips for your team.

Pasang Sherpa
Licensed trekking guide, Solukhumbu
Updated · 1 min read
On this page
Duration
12 days
Max altitude
5,364 m
Difficulty
Challenging
Starts in
Kathmandu

What a package covers

A guided package from Kathmandu usually covers flights to Lukla, permits, a licensed guide, teahouse rooms and meals on the trail. Compare the Included and Not included lists before you compare prices.

Flights to Lukla

A helicopter on the apron beside the runway at Lukla airport
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg · CC BY 4.0

The Kathmandu–Lukla flight is the largest single cost after the guide. In peak season many flights leave from Ramechhap instead, a 4 to 5 hour drive from Kathmandu.

Costs on the trail

Terraced fields in the valley on the trail above Namche Bazaar
Photo: Lenny K Photography from Sydney, Australia · CC BY 2.0

Hot showers, phone charging and Wi-Fi are charged extra above Namche Bazaar. Prices for snacks and drinks rise with altitude, so carry some cash in small notes.

Tipping your team

Guides and porters are usually tipped at the end of the trek. Agree on an amount with your group before you start so nobody is caught out.

Frequently asked questions

Is a porter worth it?

For most people, yes. A porter carries your main bag between teahouses, so you walk with a daypack and have more energy for the climbs.

Can I pay in US dollars?

Yes. International packages are priced in USD. Confirm the payment method and currency with your operator when they accept your booking request.

About the author
Pasang Sherpa

Pasang has guided in the Everest and Annapurna regions for 14 years and trains new guides for Himalayan Footprints Treks.

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